Following with interest...
I have a CdF that I've had for 6 years, it's an absolute workhorse for commuting 18 miles a day, razzing down the canal etc. and I have also toured the Outer Hebrides, Iceland and Patagonia on it and become quite attached. After 5 winters of commuting I've just had the frame blasted and re-enameled and it's good as new. Reynolds tubing really is amazing!
For the last couple of years I've also had a Kinesis Crosslight Pro 6 disc, and it's opened up a whole new world of opportunities, suddenly all of the local bridleways can be explored, it's unbelievably faster, lighter and more responsive than my CdF, and bike packing has become even more fun than touring with a trip round the Southern Uplands last December and a trip across Mid Wales planned for a few weeks time. I've even thrown myself round the red route at Dalby on it, and more and more often my CdF is finding itself left in the cellar.
A quick switch of tyres and there's not much you can't throw a CX bike at. Admittedly I haven't tried a gravel bike, and have done all of my bike packing and gravel riding on my CX, but I'm not convinced there's really a gap in the market for them to fill. Sure, the geometry might be a bit more comfortable, but my CX really isn't that uncomfortable, and I'm not sure I'd be willing to sacrifice it's handling for a bit more comfort.
All that said I'm getting drawn to rougher and rougher riding, and keep finding myself looking at the Soul on Cotic's website getting tempted. Then I think how much fun I already have on my CX and quickly close the web page. Anyone on here got a Cotic Soul and willing to persuade/dissuade me?